Pathologies Associated with Impacted Mandibular Third Molars: A Radiographic Study in Southeast of Iran

Objective(s): Impacted third molars may lead to various pathological complications and their prophylactic extraction is controversial. The purpose of this study was to radiographically determine the relationship between common pathologies and angulation and impaction depth of impacted mandibular third molars. Methods: In this study, 1158 panoramic radiographs with 1787 impacted lower third molars (ILTMs) were analyzed. The following pathologies were evaluated: caries in mandibular second molars, caries in ILTMs, radiolucency on distal surface of ILTMs, and bone resorption on distal surface of mandibular second molars. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test at p<0.05. Results: 58.5% of ILTMs were associated with at least one pathology. Caries of ILTMs were the most common finding (31.1%), followed by caries (21.2%) and bone loss (17.7%) of second molars, and distal radiolucency of ILTMs (4.3%). Caries in second and third molars and bone loss of second molars were significantly more common in mesioangular ILTMs (p<0.05). Radiolucency on distal surface of ILTMs was significantly more common in vertical ILTMs. Considering the ILTMs’ impaction depth, class A molars had more pathologies than class B or class C (p<0.05). Conclusion: Most pathologic conditions were seen in mesioangular ILTMs, especially in Class A cases. Therefore, the angulation and depth of impaction of ILTMs should be taken into account when determining whether prophylactic extraction is necessary.